Carrier for fragile articles.



W. D. THOMAS.

CARRIER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED IAII.3I. 1914.

l 931.4%@570 Patented May 25, MI5. d|||l||l|||h W j 11 l 4 /NVENTOR B. 7&0 0J .fw

' ATTORNEY 'WILLlAM D. THOMAS, @IF HLAlDEJlL/FHXA, JPENNSYLVAJA.

CARRIERE, EUR FRAGXLE ARTECLES.

application tied January 3i, wie.

To all whom t may concern.'

, Be it known that ll, WILLIAM D. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States,anda resident of the city of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Carriers for Fragile Articles, of which the following is a specilicationc ln transporting fragile articles such yas eggs, electric light bulbs, delicate mechanisms, etc., through the mails or otherwise, it is a diiiicult matter to so pack and support themin the carriers -or containers in which they are transported that the jarring and jolting to which they are subjected shall not cause them to break or be otherwise injui-ed. Many attempts have been made to provide carriers for sai-ely transporting such articles but as far as ll am aware such attempts have not been successful and failure has been the result,

@ne of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction oir carrier or container in which the most fragile articles may be transported safely without injury from the ordinary jarring, jolting or handling to which they must. be subjected in transit through the mails or otherwise. To accomplish this purpose l have provided a construction having means `lior supporting the articles in what may be described as a hanging position. ln other words, provide a hanging support for the articles to be carried and transported. By supporting the articles in a hanging position in accordance with my. invention the said articles are relieved :trom the violent concussions and jarring effects due, for instance, to dropping the packages containing the said articles. ln designing such a carrier applicant has had in inind and it has been his endeavor 4 to produce a carrier ot the character' in question capable of performing the functions ot safety ascribed to it and, therefore, possessing value.

@ther objects and advantages will be referred to in the detailed description of my invention or will be apparent therefrom..

ln the accompanying drawings l have illustrated one form of a convenient embodiment of my invention, but it will be understood that the saine is susceptible of embodiment in other forms and that changes in the details of construction may be made Within the scope of the lclaims without departing Specification or Letters lPatent.

great commercial utility and Patented May 25, i915, semi no. siacia.

from the principle or from the scope of my invention.

ln the drawings: Figure l is a view showing in top plan a portion of a container embodying my invention, the lid of the saine being open, and'also showing a portion oi" the said container removed thereby exposing an interior part of the carrier; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2&2 of Fig. l, with the lid of the carrier closed; Fig. '8 is a view similar to l but showing a modiiied construction of carrier adapted for the transporting of electric light bulbs; Fig. d is a transverse section along the line lt or'llig. 3 with the lid of the carrier closed; llig. 5 is a perspective view showing a detail ora construction; and lTig. G is a perspective view showing a modified construction of carrier.

Referring to the drawings, l designates a box, illustrated in the drawings as being substantially rectangular in shape, for receivin'g the parts of the structure which are adapted to support the articles, such as eggs, electric light bulbs, etc., which are to be transported. lt will be understood, or course, that the shape orp the package may be changed and that the box or outside covering corresponding to the part l may be changed in shape and construction as may be desired or convenient.

ln the construction of what may be termed the essential supporting parts of my invention l provide what may be referred to broadly as trays which are of such size and shape that when they areplaced together in the manner indicated in the drawings they till the space within the outside cover or protector l. The number and size of the trays and consequently the size of the package may be increased as desiredso as to carry such greater number er articles in a single package as may be desired, and on the other hand the size of the trays and consequently the size of the package may be diminished if desired. rllhe construction of the trays is substantially identical and a description of one may be regarded as a deseription of both. l i

Referring now particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 5 of the drawings, 2, 3, el, 5 and 6 designate strips of suitable material, preferably card-board, which extend longitudinally of the trays. 'llhe strips 2 and 3 and 5 and 6 are situated at the outer side edge portions of the trays and are spaced a relatively short distance from each other asis shown in the drawing while the strip 4 is centrally located so as to divide the respective L(trays into two longitudinal chambers extending substantially the length of the carrier. rllhese longitudinally extending chambers are subdivided into smaller chambers or cells by means of cross-wise or transversely extending strips7 of the same or similar material. The strips 7 and the longitudinal strips 3, 4 and 5 preferably are interlocked or connected with each other in the manner shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The strips 7, having reference to the top tray shownl in Fig. 2, are provided with slots 8 in their lower edges, while the longitudinally extending strips 3, 4 and 5 are provided with slots 9 in their top edges so [that the strips may be interlocked in the such as eggs, to be transported.

In the construction as illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 5 these strips consist of integral parts of a sheet of corrugated board', or other suitable sheet material7 having portions cut out as indicated at 11. These portions are eut out so as to leave an intermediate longitudinal strip 12 and longitudinal lside strips 13. The intermediate strip 12 is supported upon the edge of the central longitudinal strip 4 while the side strips of the supporting sheet are `supported upon the edges of the strips 2 and 3 and 5 and 6. As alreadyfindieated, the portions of the supporting corrugated board intermediate the cut out portions 11 are bent into the chambers or cells formed between the strips 3, 4,

5 and 7 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2

-of the drawings.

s 15 designates longitudinally extending strips of corrugated board or other suitable sheet material which ex` tend longitudinally of the carrier between the strips 3 Aand 4 and 4 `and 5. These strips 15 are bent at intervals so as to cause portions thereof to extend into the chambers or cells formedby the strips3, 4, 5 and 7 as clearlyindieated in Figsfl and 2 of the drawings. The strips 15, it will be noted upon reference to Fig. 2, extend underlneath the transverse strips' 10. The said strips 15 are supported at their opposite ends upon the upper edges of two of the strips 7 and also upon the upper edges of end strips 2O formed byextending the side strips 2 and 6. Intermediate portions of the strips 15 are supported upon the upper edges of intermediate strips 7. It may be noted that the side and end strips 2, 6 and 20 are held -in place in the tray structure by securing the side strips 13 and the opposite end portions of the strips 15 thereto 'in any suitable manner, as by cementing or pasting the same thereto. outer parts of the bentportions of the supporting strips 10 and 15 are located inside or within the planes of the outer or bottom edges of the strips 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 so that said outer parts of said supporting strips do not contact with any support but occupy a hanging relation with respect to the other' parts of the structure.

In Figs. '1 and 2 I have shown eggs in place in certain of the compartments formed for the reception of the articles to be transported. It will be apparent from an inspection of the drawings that the articles, for

instance, the eggs, are supported entirely Y by the corrugated strips 10 and 15, and as these strips occupy hanging relation with ject and asa result they are relieved in a large measure from the jarring, jolting and shocks which would otherwise result and by beingthus relieved they are prevented from being broken. The ends of the longitudinal strips 3, 4 and 5 project a distance beyond the two outermost transverse strips 7 while the ends of the transverse strips 7 project v beyond the longitudinal strips 3 and 5. The

presence of the' projecting ends of these strips prevents any surrounding member from contacting directly with the longitudinal strips 3 and 5 or the two outermost transverse strips 7. Instead of contacting with the said members 3 and 5 and the outermost strips 7 any' surrounding member contacts with the ends of thelongitudinal and transverse strips so that a space is left between such surrounding member, whatever it may be, and the said longitudinal members 3 and 5 and the outermost end strips 7. In this manner the articles supported. in the chambers or cells are'further protected againsty the effects of, jarring, jolting, etc. incident 'to' transporting by mail or otherwise. It is preferable that the' l articles should fit the cells or nests provided for them with sufiicient closeness to prevent any substantial amount of free motion of i It will be noted that the CSY tasas/ar spaces within the chambers or cells of one tray are complementary to the corresponding spaces in the other tray so that when the two trays are placed togetherl in the manner shown in Fig. 2, with their open sides in contact with each other, chambers or cells are formed for'receiving, holding and supporting the articles to be transported.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, in which l have shown a construction adapted for use in the transport of fragile articles of a diilerent shape, such as electric light bulbs, l have provided trays similar to the trays shown in Figs. l and 2. The trays in this construction are provided with longitudinal strips 2l and 22 oi"- card-board or other suitable material, and with transverse or cross strips 23 and with end strips 24, the latter being formed integrally with the strips 2l, if desired. 'llhey may, of course, be formed separately from the strips 2l and secured thereto in any desired manner. 'llhe strips 22 and 23 preferably are interlocked with each other in the sarne inanner as the sirnilar strips in Figs. l and 2. rFhe transverse strips 23 dividethe trays into chambers as indicated in 3 of the drawings. f For the purpose of supporting the electric light bulbs or similar fragile articles within the compartments, ll provide a longitudinally extending' supporting strip 27 for supporting the sinall end 28 of an electric light bulb 29. The opposite end portions ot this supporting strip 27 are secured upon the top edges of the strips 2liand the adjoining or adjacent strip 23 while interinodiate portions ot the said supporting strip 27 are supported upon the top edges oil intermediate partition strips 23. rlhe large or bulb portion of the electric light bulb is supported upon or between transverse strips 30 of corrugated or other suitable cardboard or equivalent rnaterial the opposite ends of which are secured by pasting or otherwise to the top edges ot the side inem? bers 2l and 22. rFliese supporting strips 30 are bent or flexed as is shown in Fig. l of the drawings. Each' of the chambers between the strips 23 is provided with one et these transverse supporting strips 30. The trays are each provided also with a longitudinally extending corrugated strip 3l the opposite end portions of which are secured by pasting or otherwise tothe top edges oi the end strips 2d and the adjacent or adjoining strips 23 while intermediate portions thereot are supported upon the top edges of the intermediate partition strips 23. The strip 3l occupies the opposite side portion ot the tray from the strip 27. should be noted that the bent portions of the strip 27 intermediate the transverse partition strips 23 are .located above the transverse strips 30 while the portions of the longitudinally extending strip 3]; are located below or outside of the said strips 30, as is clearly shown in Fig. l of the drawings. lt will be noted that when the open sides, or what ll have termed the tops, of the trays are placed in contact with each other, as shown in Fig. l, the small or attaching end of the electric light bulb is held between the confronting strips 27 while the bulb proper is held between the confronting transverse strips 30. By the arrangernent as shown the strips 27, 30 and 3l are so positioned with respect to each other that the bulbs are securely held against undue motion in any direction with respect to the carrier or container. I'Fhe longitudinal supporting strip 3l reinforces the strips 30 so as to reduce to a niinirnuin the possibility or a break-down ot the structure While in transit. rFliese strips constitute hanging supports for the bulbs.

ln use., the articles to be shipped or transported are placed in the open chambers or cells in one of the trays ot the character shown in Figs. l and 2 or 3 and fl, aitter which the other trayv is inverted and is placed over the first tray so that the articles, Whether eggs, electric light bulbs, or any other fragile articles, are completely inclosed within the closed chambers or cells -loi-ined by the two trays. As has already been indicated, any desired number of trays may be employed, the sizes oli which may be as preferred, so that the sizes of the pachages and the nuinber oi? articles to be transported in a single package rnay be varied as desired. The assembled trays are then inclosed in a protector or Wrapper, such, tor instance, as that indicated by the reference nun'ieral l in the drawings. a wrapper or protector, such as is shown inthe drawings, is employed, the assemblea trays are placed therein after which the li 35 of the saine is closed, its outer tree edge 36 being inserte-d between one side of one of the tra-ys one side ot the wrapper or rotector, as is shown kin Figs. 2 d of ye drawing. Any ineans may be employed to retaining 'the cover or lid ol the wrapper or protector in closer position.

ln the inoditied structure shown in Fig. 6 the trays l0 and ll are of the sanie construction as the trays shown in Figs. l, 2 and 5 except that the side strips 2 and t and the end strips 20 are omitted so that the opposite ends of the transversely extending paru tition strips 7 and of the longitudinally extending strips 3, fl and 5 are in contact with the interior surface ot the wrapper or protector l or the equivalent thereof in which the trays are placed for shipment.

l clairn:` i l. ln a carrier for fragile articles, the combination of cooperating complemental members each consisting of longitudinally and transversely extending strips spaced so as to form chambers and flexible strips having flexed portions Which project into the said chambers and Which flexible strips are supported from the edges of said longitudinally and transversely extending strips and constitute hanging supports for articles to be transported in said carrier. j

2. In a carrier for fragile articles, the combination of cooperating complemental members each consisting of interlocked longitudinally and transversely extending strips spaced so as to form chambers and flexible provided with a plurality of transversely,

and longitudinally extending strips Which divide the said trays into chambers and flexed transversely and longitudinally eX- tending stri-ps which project into the said chambers, the said last mentioned strips in one tray coperating With those in another tray to supportarticles placed therein.

L In a carrier for fragile articles, the combination of complemental trays arrangedwith their open tops in Contact With each other and each of the said trays being `provided with a plurality of interlocking Liedes? transversely and longitudinally extending strips Which divide the said trays into chambers, flexed transversely and longitudinally extending strips which have flexed portionsl projecting into the said chambers, the flexed portions of the stripsl in one tray coperating with those in the other tray to support articles placed therein, and a protector for protecting Vand holding the said trays in substantially fixed relation with respect to each other.

5. ln. a carrier for fragile articles, the combination of complemental trays arranged With their open tops in contact with each other, and each of said trays being provided With longitudinally and transversely extending interlocking strips divid ing said trays into chambers, and asheet of flexible material having portions cut outv at intervals therein leaving side, end and longitudinal and transverse intermediate strips, the side, end and intermediate longitudinal strips resting upon and being supported by the said interlocking strips, the said transverse strips being flexed and projected into the saidchambers, and other longitudinal 'strips supported uponthe transverse interlocking strips and also being iexed and projected into the said chambers substantially as and for the purpose described.

.ln testimony that l claim the foregoing as my invention, l have hereunto signed my name this 30th day of January, A. D. 1914.V

afirman n. 'rnoiias t ln the presence of- CYRUS N. ANDERSON, CARRIE E. KLEINFELDER. 

